Remote Volunteers Use CCTV to Protect England's Red Squirrels

The Upper Coquetdale Red Squirrel Group has secured £18,000 to deploy CCTV cameras for remote monitoring, enabling volunteers to protect England's endangered red squirrels from invasive grey squirrels.

Remote Monitoring to Aid Red Squirrel Conservation

A conservation organization has secured funding to acquire CCTV cameras that will enable volunteers working remotely to assist in safeguarding England's dwindling red squirrel population.

The Upper Coquetdale Red Squirrel Group (UCRSG) has received an £18,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to purchase 50 motion-activated cameras. These devices will be installed in some of the most isolated areas of Northumberland.

Ian Glendinning A red squirrel is sitting on three moss covered rocks with its front paws on the first one and its rear paws on the second and its tail brushing the third — It is estimated there are only 15,000 red squirrels left in England

Virtual Ranger Project and Volunteer Involvement

The initiative, named the "virtual ranger" project, will also involve recruiting community volunteers who will remotely monitor live footage and map red squirrel populations.

"It allows older residents who might find physical fieldwork too challenging to become wildlife defenders," said UCRSG chair Ian Glendinning.

"The inspiration for the project came directly from Coquetdale residents," he added.

During community presentations, many older individuals with limited mobility expressed a strong desire to contribute to conservation efforts.

Ian Glendinning A red squirrel is standing on its red legs looking at a camera which is on a three-legged tripod. There is grass and a bank of ferns behind — Red squirrels are native to the UK but their numbers are in decline

Conservation Challenges and Grey Squirrel Threats

Many conservation groups consider England's red squirrel population to be nearing extinction. The data collected by the cameras over the two-year project will help identify threats from invasive grey squirrels at an early stage.

Grey squirrels, originally from North America, are larger and more aggressive than red squirrels. They are classified as an invasive non-native species, and humane culling of grey squirrels is permitted.

"Grey squirrels carry - but are not affected by - a pox which kills red squirrels," explained the group.

Two grey squirrels peer out of some vegetation. One has his head down, the other is looking over his shoulder. — Grey squirrels carry a pox which they are unaffected by but which kills reds

Community Engagement and Data Utilization

Rothbury councillor Steven Bridgett emphasized the project's community focus, stating it places local residents "at the heart of conservation."

"It will produce real-life data that will enable strategic conservation measures to be directed at areas most in need, a great example of what can be achieved by teamwork between those monitoring and those on the ground," he said.

Volunteers will also share the most compelling wildlife footage online regularly, allowing even those confined to their homes to experience the secret life of Coquetdale's woodlands.

Project Funding and Volunteer Participation

The £18,000 grant fully covers the project's infrastructure costs for the next two years. This includes purchasing cameras, memory cards, a video-processing laptop, and covering travel expenses.

Volunteers interested in participating only need a mobile phone and do not have to reside locally.

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